Meet Our Faculty

Ivan Pryntsev

Founder/Artistic Director

Founder of Pryntsev Ballet Academy, international performer, professional ballet dancer, and dedicated owner.

Ivan's students have achieved top 1st places at YAGP, showcasing his exceptional teaching skills in the Vaganova ballet method.

Ivan Pryntsev was born in Dnipro, Ukraine. He began his dance training at the Dnipro Ballet Academy, where he studied classical ballet and contemporary dance. At age 15, he was accepted into the Dnipro Theatrical Art College. Ivan was invited to join the Dnipro Opera and Ballet Theatre while still a student, and toured with the company to Berlin, Germany and Xuchang, China where he performed in Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, and The Sleeping Beauty. He graduated from the Dnipro Theatrical Art College at age 19, with qualifications as a Professional Ballet Dancer, Teacher of Specialized Institutions of Art, and Director of Choreographic Collective. He was then offered a contract to dance with the Moscow Ballet in The Great Russian Nutcracker, and performed in over 70 cities across the United States. In 2019, Ivan performed lead roles in classical ballet productions with Festival Ballet Theater and Golden State Dance Foundation, both in Orange County, California. In addition to dancing professionally, Ivan also teaches ballet, pointe, variation, and character dance classes, as well as workshops and master classes for children, teens, and adults throughout southern California.
In early 2020 Mr. Ivan founded Pryntsev Ballet Academy in Orange County, CA, training his students in the Vaganova Ballet Method and providing young students with a pre-professional environment, proper ballet technique, avoiding injuries and helping students reach their maximum potential. Ivan believes that in the right environment any child can learn and improve their skills!
Through his detailed teaching method, Mr. Pryntsev's students have been awarded at Youth America Grand Prix Regional Competitions and placed as TOP 1, TOP 3, TOP 6 and TOP 12 as well as been awarded scholarships and have been accepted to schools such as Paris Opera Ballet(France), Royal Ballet (UK), Vaganova Ballet(Russia) Bolshoi Ballet Summer intensive, Ellison Ballet Summer intensive, Colorado Ballet Summer intensive, IBC Summer intensive Moscow and others.

Natasha Miroshnyk

Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher

Graduated from Kiev Choreography School, Natasha is a distinguished instructor in the Vaganova ballet method with award-winning YAGP students.

Natasha Miroshnyk
graduated in 1988 from the Kiev Academic Choreography School, where she was trained under the Honorable Ukrainian Actress A.G. Calchenko. After graduation, she was invited to join the Odessa Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre. She toured Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, Finland, Lebanon, and other countries, and performed with them as a soloist until 2000. From 2001 to 2003, she was a principal dancer with the First State Ballet Theater in Delaware. In 2003, Natasha became a soloist and audition director for the Moscow Ballet where she remained until 2013. She has performed in many ballet repertoire including: The Nutcracker (Pas de Deux/Snow), Giselle, Swan Lake, Flames of Paris, The Sleeping Beauty, Walpurgis Night, La Bayadère, The Little Humpbacked Horse, Carnival in Venice,Chopiniana, Carmen Suite, Pas de Quatre, Don Quixote and more.
Natasha began her teaching career in 2000 at Dance Elite ballet school in Doylestown, PA, where she taught ballet technique to beginning through advanced level classes and pointe. She prepared choreography for their annual performance of “The Nutcracker” and “The Wizard of Oz”. She continued teaching and choreographing while working with students at Media Dance School in Media, PA, and the Russian Ballet Center in Newport, DE before taking her role in 2003 as soloist with the Moscow Ballet. Natasha has taught in the San Diego and Orange County areas from 2013 to the present. Natasha’s dancers have won various awards including 1st and 3rd places at YAGP in San Diego and Los Angeles in 2019. Natasha looks forward to training the dancers at Pryntsev Ballet Academy, improving their technique and sharing her love of ballet.

Elena Chimitova

Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher

Elena Chimitova, a graduate of the Eastern Siberian Academy of Culture and Arts and an Honored Artist of the Republic of Buryatia, specializes in the Vaganova Method of ballet training. With over a decade of experience, she has trained students who have won international competitions, earned scholarships, and gained acceptance into prestigious ballet programs worldwide.

Elena Chimitova is a distinguished ballet instructor with a deep specialization in the Vaganova Method. A graduate of the Eastern Siberian Academy of Culture and Arts in Russia, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and has dedicated her career to teaching and preserving the principles of classical ballet.
Recognized as an Honored Artist of the Republic of Buryatia, Ochirma’s expertise lies in cultivating technical precision, artistic expression, and discipline in her students. Her teaching career spans over a decade, during which she has trained young dancers to achieve remarkable milestones in their ballet journeys. Many of her students have excelled in regional and international competitions, earned scholarships, and been accepted into prestigious dance programs worldwide.
Ochirma’s approach combines the rigorous training of the Vaganova Method with a nurturing environment that inspires confidence and creativity. Her commitment to the art form and her students' success continues to leave a lasting impact on the next generation of ballet dancers.

Julia Atkinson

Ballet/Contemporary Teacher

Julia, from Orange, California, is finishing her BA in Dance at California State University, Fullerton, trained under Debra Noble and Alvin Rangel. She performed in significant venues like the Claire Trevor Theater, engaging with works by choreographers such as Yoshito Sakuraba. Previously, Julia trained at the Academy of Dance, where she performed classical ballets like "La Bayadere" and "The Nutcracker." Her passion for Modern dance, choreography, and teaching deepened during her college years. Committed to dance education, Julia aims to inspire others through her choreographic work focused on social change.

Aurore Stadler

Ballet Teacher

Aurore has been dancing since the age of five, starting with tap and then moving on to various styles such as ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and Russian character. She trained at Pacific Ballet Conservatory in the Vaganova method with Ludmil Boubbov, a former Principal Dancer with the State Opera in Varna, Bulgaria, as well as the Balanchine and ABT methods. Aurore had attended numerous summer intensive programs, including with Jillana in Taos, New Mexico, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Conservatory Dance intensive at UC Irvine. She has also danced in many Nutcrackers at Pacific Theatre Ballet. She is currently finishing her BA in Dance and French at Cal State Fullerton and has choreographed three dance pieces for their showcase productions and 12x16.

Tyson Garner

Tyson Garner, a seasoned performer, has graced Broadway, global tours, and Royal Caribbean stages. An outstanding teacher at YAGP, he has guided students to success at YAGP and taught at Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives, inspiring the next generation of performers.

Tyson Garner is a seasoned performer with a distinguished career spanning film, television, stage, and global touring. A versatile singer and dancer, he has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. His journey led him to Broadway, where he performed as an ensemble member in Elton John’s Aida and Saturday Night Fever. Tyson’s international presence was further highlighted by his participation in the global tour of Grease and performances aboard Royal Caribbean cruise lines, captivating audiences worldwide.
Beyond the stage, Tyson has dedicated over 15 years to mentoring and choreographing, leaving an indelible mark on the dance community. His students have achieved top placements at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regionals and Nationals in New York, a testament to his expertise and guidance. His passion for teaching has also led him to instruct at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School summer intensives, where he collaborated with dance legend Desmond Richardson, helping shape the next generation of professional dancers.
With a career that spans continents and a legacy of inspiring young artists, Tyson Garner remains a true icon in the world of dance and entertainment.

Thel Moore

Thel Moore III trained at the Baltimore School for the Arts and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, later performing with Charlotte Ballet and Richmond Ballet, where he danced works by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and José Limón. Now based in Huntington Beach, California, he teaches, choreographs, and freelances nationwide, sharing his extensive experience in classical and contemporary ballet.

Thel Moore III was born and raised in Baltimore MD. He grew up around dance but did not start his formal ballet training until the age of 13 at the Baltimore School for the Arts under the direction of Norma Pera. There he learned the basics of ballet and created a great foundation for his dancing. Two years later at the age of 15 he moved to Torrington CT to finish his ballet training at The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory under the direction of Victoria Mazzarelli. There he was trained by Eleanor D’Antuono and Kirk Peterson both principals at American Ballet Theater as well as many other great artists. With Victoria’s influence from William Forsythe, who she worked very closely with for years at Frankfurt Ballet, he gained a strong sense of neo-classical and contemporary movement. Upon his graduation he accepted his first company contract with the Charlotte Ballet under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. There he worked with Jean-Pierre as well as his wife, Kennedy Center Honoree, Patricia McBride, who were both principal dancers with New York City Ballet as well as renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden. After one season in Charlotte Thel joined the Richmond Ballet under the direction of Stoner Winslett. There he performed many great works such as In The Night by Jerome Robbins, Theme and Variations and Who Cares by George Balanchine, The Moor’s Pavane by Jose Limon, and many more. As well as performing all of these great works he was also lucky to work with numerous choreographers who all have set original pieces on him . While with Richmond he worked with artist and choreographers such as Christine Redpath, and Paul Boos both soloists with New York City Ballet, Kennedy Center honoree Carmen de Lavallade, Val Canaparoli, Ma Cong and many more. On top of performing many great works Thel has also had the pleasure of performing at venues like the Inside/Out Stage at Jacobs Pillow, The Joyce Theater in New York City as well as many theaters across the Nation. Thel now resides in Huntington Beach California where he is teaching choreographing and freelancing across the state and country.

Debra Maxwell

Debra Maxwell, an American Ballet Theatre-certified instructor, trained at the Dayton Ballet Company School and The Boston Conservatory, later dancing with London Masulli Ballet and studying at American Ballet Theatre in NYC. With a career spanning performance, teaching, and choreography, she has trained dancers at Westside Ballet, Roland Dupree, and Jane Fonda’s studio, and authored the instructional children's video I CAN DANCE.

Debra Maxwell began her dancing as a young girl at the Dayton Ballet Company School. She graduated from The Boston Conservatory during which time she danced with the Boston Dance Theatre. Directly following her education Debra traveled to Europe to study with such greats as Hector Zaraspe, Donald MacGayle, Glen Tetley and Twyla Tharp. She danced with the London Masulli Ballet Company in Lisbon, Portugal. Upon returning to the United States she spent the following 4 years studying at American Ballet Theatre in New York City with Patricia Wilde, Gabrella Darvash and Maggie Black. She then relocated to the west coast and focused on teaching in Los Angeles with Stanley Holden, Jane Fonda, Westside Ballet and Roland Dupree. During that time she wrote, produced and appeared in her own instructional children video “I CAN DANCE”. The video was distributed nationwide by Kultur Video and saw years of success. After several years in Los Angeles Debra moved to Orange County where she has taught at several of the area’s top professional dance studios. Debra is an American Ballet Theatre certified teacher who has completed ABT Teachers Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the National Teachers Curriculum. Debra also is certified in Mat Pilates.

GUEST FACULTY

Summer Intensive 2024

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Online Guest Instructors

Bolshoi Ballet

Mr. Denis Rodkin is a Principal Dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow, Russia. He is a graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. His numerous accolades include the 2018 Presidential Prize to Young Culture Professionals (Russia), the 2017 Benois de la dance International Dance Association Prize for the role of Solor in La Bayadere, the 2016 Oleg Yankovsky Prize from Bosco di Ciliegi Festival, voted The Best Dancer of the Year in 2016 by Danza & Danza Magazine (Italy), and the 2014 Soul of Dance Prize in the Rising Star Category from Ballet Magazine. Mr. Rodkin’s repertoire includes Prince Desire (The Sleeping Beauty), Basilio (Don Quixote in the second A. Fadeyechev version), Solor (La Bayadere), Conrad (Le Corsaire), Boris (The Golden Age by Dmitry Shostakovich, choreography by Yuri Grigorovich), Count Albrecht (A. Adam’s Giselle, choreography by J. Coralli, J. Perrot, M.s Petipa, Y. Grigorovich’s version), Jose (Carmen Suite), Prince Frederici (Marco Spada by D.-F.-E. Auber, P. Lacotte production), The Nutcracker-Prince (Nutcracker), Onegin (Onegin to music by P.Tchaikovsky, choreography by J. Cranko), and Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake).

Ms. Eleonora Sevenard is a Soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow, Russia. She is a graduate of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. While still a student, she was selected to perform with the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre, and participated in the Vaganova Academy’s tour to Lithuania and Japan. From 2015 thru 2017, she danced the role of Masha-Princess in The Nutcracker in the Vaganova Academy’s performances at the Mariinsky Theatre. In 2017, she was invited to perform in the Russian Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum. Ms. Sevenard’s repertoire includes Gamzatti (La Bayadere by L. Minkus, choreography by М. Petipa, Y. Grigorovich’s version), Swanilda (Coppelia), Kitri (Don Quixote), and the leading role in Grand Pas from Paquita (M. Petipa).

Joffrey Ballet

Ms. Jeraldine Mendoza is a Lead Principal Dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Illinois. She trained at the City Ballet School of San Francisco since the age of 5. At age 17, she was invited to graduate in the Russian course at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. Ms. Mendoza was awarded the Young Artist’s Scholarship from the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship Fund. She also graced the cover of Dance Magazine in May 2015. Her repertoire includes Stanton Welch’s La Bayadére (Nikiya), Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs; George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and The Four Temperaments; Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum, Swan Lake (Odette/Odile), Liturgy, Fool’s Paradise, and The Nutcracker; Jerome Robbins’ Interplay and Glass Pieces; Krzysztof Pastor’s Romeo & Juliet (Juliet); Justin Peck’s In Creases and Year of the Rabbit; John Neumeier’s Sylvia (Sylvia); Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella (Cinderella); and Lola de Avila’s Giselle (Giselle, Myrta). Photo credit: Yuri Zhukov

Mr. Dylan Gutierrez is a Lead Principal Dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Illinois. He began his training at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy under the direction of his mother Andrea-Paris Gutierrez. In 2006, he was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London. Mr. Gutierrez was named one of the Top 25 to Watch in 2014 by Dance Magazine. Together with Ruben Harris, he founded the Young and Cultured movement, which aims to support the goals and aspirations of young artists from a variety of fields. His favorite roles danced with the Joffrey include Death in The Green Table, Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Siegfried in Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake, Prince Albrecht in Giselle, Main Pas de Deux couple from Wayne McGregor’s Infra, Sanguinic in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, and Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit and In Creases. Photo Credit:Herbert Migdoll

Nat’l Ballet of Ukraine

Ms. Anna Onipko is a graduate of the Kiev State Ballet Academy, where she studied with Madame Natalia Virikundova, one of the last pupils of Agrippina Vaganova. Ms. Onipko was a Soloist with the National Ballet of Ukraine, and toured across Europe and the United States. Her many accolades include 1st Prize at the International Ballet Festival in Belarus, and the Special Prize at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition. Ms. Onipko was a Principal Dancer at Ballet El Paso in Texas, dancing title roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, and Pulcinella. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas, El Paso with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Ms. Onipko has over twenty years of teaching experience in New Mexico, Florida, Texas, and California. She is also an accomplished choreographer, creating original choreography for Alice in Wonderland, Twelve Days of Christmas and more. Her original ensemble choreography for “Plyasovaya” advanced to the 2016 Youth America Grand Prix International Finals in New York City. Ms. Onipko is also author of “Prelude to Ballet: A Soviet Girl Dances and Dreams”, a young adult historical fiction novel.

Ms. Jaryna Kotys is a Principal Dancer at the Lviv National Opera in Ukraine. Previously she was with the Eifman Ballet (St. Petersburg State Academic Theater of Boris Eifman). She graduated from the Drohobych State Pedagogical University (Specialty Choreography, 2018) and the Lviv State School of Culture and Arts (Department of Classical Choreography, 2011), and earned a diploma from an International Ballet Competition. Ms. Kotys’ extensive repertoire includes Odette-Odile - "Swan Lake" by P. Tchaikovsky, Medora - "Corsair" by A. Adana, Nikia - &quot ;Bayaderka" by L. Minkus, Kitri - &quot ;Don Quixote" by L. Minkus, Mistress of Dryads - "Don Quixote" by L. Minkus, Street dancer - "Don Quixote" by L. Minkus, Zobeida - "Scheherazade" by M. Rimsky-Korsakov, and Mirta (Lady of the Willis) - "Giselle" by A. Adan.

Ms. Ekaterina Tomashek graduated from the Kazan Choreographic School with a degree in Choreographic Art in 2007. From 2007 to 2014, she worked at the Donetsk National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. In 2014, she was accepted into the troupe of the Odessa National Opera and Ballet Theater. Her repertoire includes Mercedes ("Don Quixote" by L. Minkus), Spanish dance and Big Swans ("Swan Lake" by P. Tchaikovsky), Hindu dance ("Bayaderka" by L. Minkus), Gudula ("Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris" M Jarra), Marjana ("1000 and 1 night" by F. Amirov), and Oze ("Peer Gynt" by E. Grieg). Ms. Tomashek is the Owner and Founder of the Tomashek Ballet School in Odessa, Ukraine.

Stanislav Olshanskiy

Mr. Stanislav Olshanskyi is a Principal Dancer at the Kiev National Opera of Ukraine. He is also the 1 st Prize Winner of the 2019 XII International Ballet Competition in Seoul, South Korea. Mr. Olshansky graduated from the Kyiv State Choreographic School, and previously danced with the Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Mr. Olshansky’s extensive repertoire includes: Prince (The Nutcracker) by P. Tchaikovsky, Basil ("Don Quixote" by L. Minkus), Prince Desiree, The Blue Bird (Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky), Solor ("Bayaderka" by L. Minkus), Albert (A. Adana's Giselle), Conrad (A. Adana's "Corsair") Rothbard (Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky), Escamillo (Carmen Suite by J. Bizet - R. Shchedrin), and Golden Slave ("Scheherazade" by M. Rimsky - Korsakov).

Alexander Omelchenko

Mr. Alexander Omelchenko is a Principal Dancer at the Lviv National Opera in Ukraine. Previously, he was First Soloist at Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, Germany and also danced with the Stanislavsky Music Theater in Moscow, Russia. He graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Moscow State Academy of Choreography), and the Belorussian State Ballet School. Mr. Omelchenko is a prize winner at many international prestigious competitions, including 1 st Prize at the National Ballet Competition in Moscow (2013), 1 st Prize at the VII International Ballet Competition in Korea (2012), 1 st Prize at the International Ballet Competition in Kharkov (2011), and 2 nd & 3 rd Prize at the International Ballet Competition in Sochi, Russia (2012 & 2010).

Victor Tomashek

Mr. Victor Tomashek is Principal Ballet Dancer of Odessa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. He graduated from the Kyiv State Choreographic School (KSHU) in 2008. Mr. Tomashek is regularly invited to perform as Guest Artist for leading roles on stages in France, Germany, Italy and Holland. He was a Super Finalist in the Tancyuyut Vsi! (Everybody Dance!) television series, a Ukrainian program based on the American series So You Think You Can Dance, and was named one of the Top 8 dancers in Ukraine. His extensive repertoire includes Basil (L. Minkus. Don Quixote), Prince (P. Tchaikovsky. The Nutcracker), Bacchus (S. Gounod. Walpurgis Night), Rothbart, Beno, Jester (P. Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake), Albert. (A. Adan Giselle), and Prince Desiree (P. Tchaikovsky. Sleeping Beauty). Ms. Tomashek is the Owner and Founder of the Tomashek Ballet School in Odessa, Ukraine.